Western Balkans Regulation Visa (Westbalkan-Regelung)

The Western Balkans Regulation (§26 Abs. 2 BeschV) is a German work visa for nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It covers any non-regulated occupation without formal qualification recognition — the only prerequisite is a job offer from a German employer.

Stay matches the employment contract and is renewable. Federal Employment Agency pre-approval is required under an annual quota of 50,000. Spouses may join via family reunification with full work rights. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis).

This visa is ideal for Western Balkans nationals with a German job offer in a non-regulated trade or service role who want a work pathway leading to permanent residence.